| Your child says he or she wants a pet. This is often a | | | | other type of pet is not feasible, you need to say |
| good idea, as pets can help teach respect for other | | | | that. If you are allergic to other animals, you need to |
| living creatures, as well as teach children responsibility | | | | explain that cats and dogs make you sick. And if you |
| and the importance of taking care of what belongs | | | | think that you will get another pet down the road, |
| to them. However, it is not always a good idea to | | | | tell the child that you will use the fish to see whether |
| simply run out and purchase a dog or a cat. Even | | | | or not he or she is responsible enough for a pet. |
| something small, like a hamster or a gerbil, may not | | | | Once the child proves that she or he will take care of |
| be the best route for a first pet. A fish, on the other | | | | the fish properly, then you can move on to a more |
| hand, is an excellent choice for a first pet, as its | | | | care intensive pet. |
| specific qualities make it ideal for helping kids learn | | | | Shopping for the fish can actually be a fun |
| about taking care of a pet. | | | | experience. The kids get to look at different kinds of |
| Many parenting experts will tell you that it is | | | | fish, and they get to look at aquariums. Picking out |
| important to give children small amounts of | | | | what goes in the aquarium, to "decorate" the fish's |
| responsibility to begin with. While it is important that | | | | "home" is also part of the fun. Starting out with a |
| kids learn how to do things on their own, | | | | simple aquarium, or an even simpler fish bowl, is a |
| overwhelming them with unreasonable demands will | | | | good bet. Let the child choose out colorful rocks for |
| only cause emotional distress and may even | | | | the bottom of the fish tank or bowl, and let him or |
| permanently damage their confidence. The same rule | | | | her choose a plant or some ceramic decoration. It |
| applies when choosing out a first pet. The reason | | | | need not be fancy. |
| that fish are such great first pets lies in the fact that | | | | Put your child in charge of feeding the fish each day. |
| fish requires some work on the part of the child, but | | | | Show him or her how to properly do this, and choose |
| not so much that it is overwhelming. Additionally, fish | | | | out a time of day that is easy to remember for the |
| are easier to care for in general, and they won't | | | | regular feeding. Just before school, or just before |
| make a mess all over the house or the yard. | | | | bed, are good times because they are times of the |
| Finding out that they are getting a fish can be | | | | day that are generally associated with a fairly set |
| disappointing to a child, but you need to explain things | | | | routine. Help your child clean out the tank as needed, |
| to him or her. If you live in an apartment and any | | | | ensuring that the child learns how to care for animals. |